Green Party Councillor Rebecca Shoob has accepted a directorship on the board of Otterpool Park LLP (The Otterpool Park delivery vehicle) as part of Shepway Green Party’s determined effort to ensure that the new development has the strongest possible environmental credentials.
The six Green Party councillors on Conservative-run Folkestone & Hythe District Council have no way of stopping Otterpool but will use every means available to hold the Conservatives to their promise that the development will be a ‘green exemplar’. Councillor Shoob accepting an opportunity to be part of the decision-making process is one way of doing so.
Whatever people feel about Otterpool, and the size of the planned development (10,000 homes), the district must meet the government’s housing targets. If it does not, developers will be free to build on other sites in the district, with much less oversight. There isn’t another suitable location for such a large development in the district, let alone one with such good transport links and the potential to provide revenue that will support local services.
Councillor Shoob said “I welcome the opportunity to join the Otterpool Park delivery board. I believe that having a green voice on the board, provides a genuine opportunity to ensure the aspirations of sustainability and increased bio-diversity are realised to their fullest potential and that much needed, high quality, truly affordable homes are delivered for the community.”
